Religions and religious perspectives on reality play an important role in a social and cultural context. They influenced and continue to unconsciously influence ways of thinking, response patterns, and values. As a result, knowledge concerning a variety of religions is ever more valuable; the more natural awareness of one's own traditions declines, the more new ones appear in a pluralised society. In the master's programme in Ecumenics and Religions,
students are strongly motivated through their own project work as well as through practical career related exploration (in for example journalism, social welfare work, academy work). The study goals are oriented toward the achievement and further development of scientific analytical, decision making, and executive skills in the research and practice of ecumenics and religious studies.
These skills encompass:

• a broad, scientifically based and critical understanding of ecumenics and religious studies
• the ability to carry out research or practical action on the basis of scientific methods and respect for social and ethical interests

This four semester programme rests on a foundation of both research and career oriented teaching. The main focus lies on conveying skills in intercultural and socio-ethical religious analysis. Ecumenical and inter-religious research projects combine the approaches and methods of social sciences, history, women's studies, theology, Jewish studies, and religious studies. In this programme, students have the opportunity to work on their own small research projects. Furthermore, they also have privileged access to conferences and workshops within the scope of institutional research projects, the results of which, combined with new perspectives, can also help students orient themselves in lectures and seminars. This programme additionally includes one semester at one of the partner universities or abroad.
In addition to their regional connections, the Institute for Lutheran Theology and Religious Education and the study programme Ecumenics and Religions are part of a wide international network and orientation. The institute expressly supports students who wish to study abroad. There are exchange programmes with the following universities:

Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
Roehampton University, London, UK
International Baptist Theological Seminary, Prague, Czech Republic
Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
Flinders University School of Theology, Adelaide, Australia
Faculté de Theologié Protestante, Montpellier, France
United Theological College, Bangalore, India
Department of Religious Studies, University of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Israel

The master's programme in Ecumenics and Religions at the University of Oldenburg teaches a special kind of awareness and dialog skills. This programme combines the areas of Lutheran Theology (Oldenburg), Catholic Theology (Vechta), Ecumenism (Oldenburg), Religious Studies (Bremen), and Research on Judaism (Potsdam) and integrates these disciplines with Women's Studies (Oldenburg).

In order to study this course at the University of Oldenburg as a student from outside of Germany, you need an adequate knowledge of German.

German Language Proficiency
You can proof your German language proficiency with the following language certificates:

• DSH: Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (Level 2)
• TestDaF: Test – Deutsch als Fremdsprache (with level 4 in all four areas)

The proof of language proficiency must be presented for the enrolment. For other proof possiblities see: Language requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Protestant Theology, Catholic Theology, Values and Norms or Religious Studies or in a closely related field worth at least 60 credit points.

This is an open admissions degree course, and applications are accepted for both the winter and summer semesters.
The application deadline for the winter semester is 30 September.
The application deadline for the summer semester is 31 March.

Overview application deadlines Master's programmes

Please note
For open-admission Master's degree programmes it is strongly recommended to submit their applications as early as possible before 15 July for the winter semester and before 15 January for the summer semester. If the supporting documents are submitted after these dates but before the standard application deadlines, your application can only be processed at the start of the lecture period in the new semester. This may result serious problems (German document).

Graduates of the master's programme in Ecumenics and Religions can apply their religious understanding and analytical skills in humanities oriented career fields in social education work.
The potential professional spectrum includes journalism, publishing, academies of municipal and non-governmental cultural work, science management, company training courses, state and church development, or diplomatic service.

Website Ecumenism and Religion/Theology
http://www.fk4.uni-oldenburg.de/master/Theol/Theol1.html